LEWISTON — The Franco-American Heritage Center will be transformed into a medieval hall of merriment on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10.

The fifth annual Medieval Feast harkens back to the medieval tradition of royalty inviting guests to a feast to watch knights compete on horseback. The feast is meant to recreate just such a gathering, sans the horses.

The king has retained a wandering minstrel to welcome guests at the “castle” entrance. His knights and a fair lot of wenches will make their way among the citizenry. His squires will usher guests to an area where enchanting music will be played.

The king and queen will lead their guests into the decorated Hall of Feasts, where wenches will serve a robust meal of carrot cream soup with parsley, beef turnover, romaine lettuce with dipping sauce, sausage and chicken, and hermit cookies for dessert.

By order of the king, all will eat their meal without utensils in true medieval fashion. Alcoholic beverages will be served and available at the king’s cash tavern throughout the evening.

For guests’ entertainment, the Medieval Players have produced an original script, “The Idiots Guide to the Dark Ages,” providing a comedic romp riddled with misadventures for Jack, a modern man (played by Ken Mansur), and a street idiot named Leofrick (Dan Crawford). Leofrick guides Jack from the pub to a “Dark Age” fashion show and into the streets where there are sellers of fish, rats and haggis.

Also in the cast are Sean Wallace, Sophie Wallace, Karen MacArthur, Katie St. Pierre, Angela Robitaille, Bruce Gerry, Ken Mansur, Dan Crawford, Garrett Crawford, Owen Kane and Neil James.

Costume designers for the entire production are Joyce Coyne and Patti Gray.

After a five-course meal, pageantry, competition and merriment, guests may remain for more social conversation and drink. Guests who arrive in medieval fashion (optional) may participate in a contest to be judged by the king and queen, and receive discounts of a few farthings on their grog.

Although the 6 pm. event has a medieval rating of 16 and older, it is unique, discretionary family entertainment.

For tickets, $35 in advance, call 689-2000 or visit www.francocenter.org. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 5:30 p.m. when squires will open the “castle gates.”

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